Andres
Puritan Board Doctor
I would like some counsel and opinions on some future decisions my wife and I are faced with. This is specifically in regards to future education. I believe that I am called to the ministry. My pastor and elders have confirmed this. I am currently in the process of coming under care with our presbytery. I am not clear though on what I should do for my future education. I have a bachelors degree and am now looking at seminaries. I have applied and been accepted to Redeemer Seminary in Dallas. This is the closest seminary that I would consider attending. It is approx 3 hours away from where I currently live, so my wife and I would obviously have to move. My wife is finishing up her masters degree and will graduate this May so the earliest we would move is summer 2011 and I would begin classes that summer/fall.
Now I am second guessing myself on if that is the best route. I am wondering if we should not move and instead stay here for a few more years. Here are some reasons why: My wife and I want to begin a family. We are praying and hoping to get pregnant as soon as possible. We have a lot of student loan debt. I mean a lot. My wife’s is currently deferred since she’s in school, but when she graduates we will have to begin making payments. We own a home here and I have a good job. Financially it would be a lot easier living here than moving to Dallas, but the biggest reason that I am considering us staying here for a while is because my pastor recently approached me about prayerfully considering becoming an elder at our church. This is a tremendous honor for me and I would very much like to do it. Obviously if we are moving in a less than a year, then I don’t think I should. However, if we stay then I will get to fulfill my calling in ministry and I say this as humbly as possible, but I hope I would be a blessing to my church.
Of course, if we stay here I still want to begin taking seminary classes. I am now considering the MAR from RTS. It can be completed totally online. Do you think this would be a wise decision or do I truly need to obtain an MDiv if I hope to eventually be ordained for pulpit ministry? I do realize that the MAR is void of languages, but I would still take Greek and Hebrew to learn them. My pastor has multiple graduate degrees including an MA in Greek so I feel he could assist me also. Finally, I think I will be getting great experience as an elder and basically working alongside my pastor.
Sorry this is so long, but I appreciate any thoughts. FYI I am 30 years old. I do plan on seeing what my pastor thinks about the MAR also, but I just thought I would get some additional viewpoints.
Now I am second guessing myself on if that is the best route. I am wondering if we should not move and instead stay here for a few more years. Here are some reasons why: My wife and I want to begin a family. We are praying and hoping to get pregnant as soon as possible. We have a lot of student loan debt. I mean a lot. My wife’s is currently deferred since she’s in school, but when she graduates we will have to begin making payments. We own a home here and I have a good job. Financially it would be a lot easier living here than moving to Dallas, but the biggest reason that I am considering us staying here for a while is because my pastor recently approached me about prayerfully considering becoming an elder at our church. This is a tremendous honor for me and I would very much like to do it. Obviously if we are moving in a less than a year, then I don’t think I should. However, if we stay then I will get to fulfill my calling in ministry and I say this as humbly as possible, but I hope I would be a blessing to my church.
Of course, if we stay here I still want to begin taking seminary classes. I am now considering the MAR from RTS. It can be completed totally online. Do you think this would be a wise decision or do I truly need to obtain an MDiv if I hope to eventually be ordained for pulpit ministry? I do realize that the MAR is void of languages, but I would still take Greek and Hebrew to learn them. My pastor has multiple graduate degrees including an MA in Greek so I feel he could assist me also. Finally, I think I will be getting great experience as an elder and basically working alongside my pastor.
Sorry this is so long, but I appreciate any thoughts. FYI I am 30 years old. I do plan on seeing what my pastor thinks about the MAR also, but I just thought I would get some additional viewpoints.